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. . . those infected with AIDS/HIV in Alaska. Their grant is not only being renewed in full, it’s being increased. And why do they get a special housing grant in the first place?

I feel for anyone who has AIDS . . . just as I feel for anyone who has cancer. But in the case of those who have cancer, most of them get it due to circumstances beyond their control (yes, I know, some behaviors lead to cancer, like smoking, tanning, eating too much red meat and not exercising). Not the case with AIDS, which is still largely behavioral–intravenous drug use, gay sex, promiscuity (with a few people who got it by accident through tainted blood transfusions).

Given this, it’s curious that while the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development is cutting grants all over the place, it’s actually increasing grants, like the one linked above, to families of those with AIDS or HIV.

What about families of those with cancer . . . like, say, pancreatic cancer which is largely beyond its victims’ control, and which is far more fatal than AIDS and HIV, for which there are many effective drug cocktails. Why is there a special housing grant for AIDS victims in Alaska and not breast or colon cancer victims in Alaska?

Politics. That’s why. As I’ve lamented on this site, although AIDS and HIV still only affect a very small group in our society, it gets a huge, disproportionate share of not only science research dollars, but–as in this case–government funding and assistance to those affected by it. And, as we know, AIDS remained confined to gays and needle-using druggies–not the general population which they tried to frighten us into believing would be infested.

Reader David from Alaska, who is in the housing industry, notes that not only is everyone else experiencing cuts from HUD, but

the HUD funds can be used for social programs and everyday living costs and medical treatment.

Moreover, the press release notes:

This year, HUD is making available a record $310 million in HOPWA funds to help communities provide housing for this special needs population. These resources are expected to assist an estimated 58,000 households annually to promote stable housing arrangements and reduced risks of homelessness for persons living with HIV and other challenges.

Again, what about the “promot[ion of] stable housing arrangements and reduced risks of homelessness for persons living with” cancer? Nothing against AIDS and HIV victims (to whom I wish well and a recovery), but do they really deserve special treatment from HUD, while everyone else is being cut off by the agency? Is there really a need for a special earmark for them above everyone else?

I don’t think so.

Do you? Well, in this case, your taxes are being doled out according to this incongruous view.

Yet again, as in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” all of the animals in the barnyard are equal. But some are more equal than others.

14 Responses

I’ve always felt grants made to certain groups or organiztions such as these were just different avenues for money laundering. The goverment gives HOPWA 310 million and alittle is kicked back to certain politions as campaign contributions. If you remember the reports ealier this year about Chris Dodd receiving 278 million from AIG bonus recipients which was eccentially grant money

Debbie, I can’t stop making comments on your blog. I’d like you to put them in their own running column on the bottom left in place of “tags” and you can respond to each one in detail. Thank you.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!

Yes, and Re:Health Care by the Obama admin – I have been wondering if they would really cut medical coverage for AIDS, or for Sickel Cell (found primarily in African-Americans in the USA) and for other medical treatments for the many minority grandparents who are raising children. If they offer those grannies “a pill” insteasd of the treatments they need, they will find that there is a great increase in children who would be left with no caregivers.

What a waste. This is over $50K PER FAMILI PER YEAR!!!!
What the heck is going on with our government?
WIth our taxes?!!!
I am so sick of this crap I am considering retiring now. Better to have the freedom of not going to work (may work in the cash underground economy) than work and pay 60% of my income (combinded Fed and NJ State) to this nonsense.0

Yes, the HUD Section 8 housing assistance grants are being cut so drastically that we couldn’t buy a house even though our PHA approved the house with their high housing quality standards. We’re moving to Wisconsin this December where we can rent a two bedroom 1 1/2 bath apt surrounded by a park with a swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and cross country skiing trails. This is due to the reduced amount the PHA will pay for Section 8 vouchers making it impossible for us to find a clean, decent, and affordable apt where we now live. The PHA here won’t increase the amount of money they will pay towards the Section 8 vouchers until over 25% of their clients can’t find affordable housing. We don’t think the PHA here cares if over 1,300 of their families end up
homeless due to these HUD cuts! We’re moving because we don’t want to be one of these homeless families since our apt failed an inspection this week.

If 250k people died in your city – would you help? Since 250k people have died in Haiti – what have you done to assist? Imagine a day without your cellphone and computer. Okay – get past that – now imagine a day that your entire city is under ground, your family is missing and the earthquake you just endured was over 7.0. Would you want help?

In the U.S., the most common agency that issues housing grants is the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), which aims to create affordable housing for its citizens. These grants, while paid for with national money, are often administered on the local level through a city or county office.